SPORTING.

Southland Times, Issue 18652, 24 September 1919, Page 3

SPORTING.

NOTES BY SIR MODRED.

The Geraldine R.C.’s spring meeting opens to-morrow and extends over Friday. The Wanganui J.C.’s spring fixture also commences to-morrow, and,..after a days interval concludes on. Saturday.

It ia reported (writes “Sir Lancelot," in Wellington Post) that the owner of Risingham is claiming the stakes in the Heathcote Handicap, run at the Grand National meeting, on the ground that the winner, Gold Kip, was prepared by an. unlicensed trainer.

The following horses remain in the Wanganui Guineas, £SOO (one mile), to be decided at the W.J.C. spring meeting to-mor-row:—Hetaua, Warplane, Affectation, Motuihi, Rose Queen, Ermine, Crenides. It may be pointed out that Hetaua and CreTlides are by Demosthenes, while Motuihi, Warplane and Ermine represent Martian. Rose Queen is by King Rufus, and Affectation, by Kilbroney, is out of Mr W. T. Hazlett’s brood mare Simper (imp.)

According to the Sydney Referee of September 10, the principal sensation of the previous week was the backing of Surveyor for the Caulfield Cup. When he arrived from New Zealand he looked quite poor, but he had not been in Sydney a week before he picked up wonderfully.

A payment for the New Zealand Trotting Cup is due to-day (Wednesday!, but it is not expected that there will be any vital withdrawals.

Sonnino, by Signor—Helen Portland, is being jumped at Trentham, aijd may make his first appearance in a hurdle race at Masterton. He looks the part of a desirable performer over the battens, while he also has the necessary speed.

Messrs J. B, Harcourt and C, P. Skerrett, being the only nominations for the offices of president and vice-president of- the Wellington Racing Club, will be elected unopposed.

From the following list of foaiings at the Waikanae Stud, Wellington, it will be seen that Boniform (half-brother to Martian) was mated with some well-bred mare last season:—Northern Rose, by Finland—Rose Shield, and dam of Miss de Val, Trentham Rose, and Swonee River, colt to Boniform; Merrie Margaret (Benzonian —Margarethe), bay colt (since dead), by Kilboy; Peace (The Officer—Content), bay colt to Boniform; Bebe (Benzonian —Bluewater), bay filly to Boniform; Margarethe (Birkenhead Chant), bay colt to Boniform; Mistime (Birkenhead—Miss Never), bay filly to Boniform; Lady Jean 11. (Lan Bettyfield), bay filly to Boniform; Desrina (Desmond— Marina), bay filly to Boniform; Glen Helen (Treadmill—Glenowiet), bay filly to Boniform; Snowlike (Multifid —Snowstell), bay colt to Benzonian; Lady Stewart (BezonianSister Francis), chestnut filly to Solferino; Paphia (Birkenhead— Aphrodite), bay colt to Martian; Vicereine (Birkenhead—Roie), bay colt to Boniform. It is reported. from Riverton that Mr C. Hazlett’s two-year-old gelding Windermere, by Sunny Lake—Angele, is looking well. The McLean Stakes candidate is trained by J, Hymers. The owner of Silverspire informed the writer the other day that the son of Silvermark and Minaret has filled up in a very satisfactory manner since he was retired from the cross-country game for the season. His legs have fined down again after displaying unmistakeable signs of having hooked some of his fences at Wingatui and sev. era! Southland meetings. Martindale, the property at Hastings where Sid Reid intends to set up as a public trainer, is one of the oldest establishments in Hawke’s Bay, and will probably be remodelled and renovated before the new occupants go in. It was owned by the late Mr Percy Martin, hence the name, and is situated about a mile from Hastings, and nearly opposite the railway entrance to the course. When the writer (“Sir Lancelot,” of Wellington Post) visited it many years ago, it was looked upon as the premier training establishment in what was then an important racing centre. The occupants included Tirailleur, who had not at the time made his first public appearance, Lady Florin, a useful mare that won good handicaps in’both islands, The Mute, gelding Silence, a gnrrm honest bay, that would be worth a lot of money in these days of increased stakes. He won the Wanganui Cup among other races. And last, but not least, of a fairly big string was the grey, Soudan. F. D. Jones was to leave Riccarton on Saturday morning last to journey to Geraldv ine by road, with the prospect of a three days' trip before him. He was to take Post Haste, Once More, Mustard Pot and Parana to the GJLC, meeting. The Wellington owner, Mr H. Brown, met with a serious misfortune last week, when the well-known performer Form Up died in his box at Tauherenikau. He was all right when bedded up the previous night. In the morning he was in a bad way, and died in a few hours. At the recent Grand National meeting he carried top weight to victory in the Islington and Selwyn Handicaps. His total winnings in stakes amounteu to over £3OOO. KUROW MEETING ACCEPTANCES. (Per United Press Assodatioa) OAMARU, September 23. The following are the Kurow J.C. acceptances : HAKATARAMEA HANDICAP (six furlongs)—Kilbarry 8.9, Link Up 8.3, Barley Eigs 8.1, Cannie Jack 8.0, Revolution 7.11, Bonny Mac 7.7, War March 7.7, Rapid River 7.5, Russet 7.3, The Boss 7.2, gelding by Glenapp—Red Cross 7.0, Penola 7.0, Once More 7.0, Lady Winston 7.0, Dina Bold 7.0, Darky Sam 7.0. KUROW HANDICAP (seven furlongs)— Kilmoon 9.0, Bon Spec 8.3, Mortham 8.2, Bellshire 6.13, Linden 7.9, Indus 7.9, Braid 7.1, Kilkee 7.8, Sedd-el-Bahr 7.7, Marianne 7.2, Borodino 7.0, All Ready 6.10, Mustard Pot 6.7, WAITANGI STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP (about two miles and a distance) — San Sebastian 11.13, Grafteiia 11,13, Dardanelles 11.10 ,Handsome Boy 10.7, Marvehte 10.3, Gaylight 10.2, Take Down 9.9, Rolling Tide 9,7, Traditor 9.7, John Reilly 9.7, Milton 9.7, Frog 9.7. WELTER HACK HANDICAP (one mile and a-quarter)—Sunart 9.4, Glenshiue 9.2, San Sebastian 8.9, Hylans Bl>, Leaping Bum 8.2, Kimboltor. 7.13, Gaylight 7.13, Jack Symons 7.9, Grand Duchy 7.7, Milton 7.7, Preface 7.7, General Petain 7.7, pinna Bold 7.7, i BELFIELD HANDICAP (five furlongs) Kilbrogan 9.13, Radial 9.6, Mortham 9.3, Bellshire 9.5, Bon Spec 9.3, Indus 8.9, Braid 8.1, Sundance 8.5, Kilkee 7.13, Redshire 7.13, Trentham Rose 7.9, Pyjama 7.9, Post Haste 7.5, Stray Shot 6.7, The Boss 6.7. TRIAL PLATE (four furlongs)—Penola, Darky Sam, Lady Birkenhead, Lady Winston, Golliwog, Adelina, Boniform, Sembric, Call Bird, Sunlit, Glenapp—Ecarte gelding, Miss Camouflage, All British, Lady Phoenix and My Boy 8.10, Night Lily, Mantua, Ruena, Hallucination, and Windermere 7,10. WAITAKI HANDICAP TROT (one mile and a-half)— Favonius 2aec, Stanley Direct 4aec, Orari 5, Woodvale 5, Tidewater 6, Lewis McKinney 6, Gentle Mac 6, Ribbon Maid 6. DASH TROT HANDICAP, saddle (one mile)—Vera K scr, Calliope 3sec, Scenery 4, Etheldonna 4, Favonius 6, Stanley Direct 7, Van Director 8. Glade 8, Orari 8, Dixiewood 8, Tidewater 9, Frankton 9, Lewis McKinney 9, Ribbon Maid 9.

HOCKEY. (Notes by Circle). It is very satisfactory to know that although for a time it seemed uncertain as to whether the Town v Eastern District match would be played, the fixture has been successfully arranged and will take place at Wyndham to-day. If the OtagoSouthland match is not played the game today will be some compensation to those players who have all the season looked forward to the interprovincial fixture, and will encourage players to take up the sport again next season. It was unfortunate that so few members of the local Association should have attended the special meeting called for last Friday and that so much should have been left to the secretary to arrange. However, she saw that there was still hope for a match with Otago, and as it was necessary to play the Town v Country match first, she worked hard and successfully to have to day’s match played. There is everything to be said in favour of the match being played and if the game is to advance the Association will find it necessary in future seasons to provide something of more interest than the ordinary competition matches. For this reason it is encouraging to note the more active interest which the members of the local ruling body have shown during the last few weeks. There is reason to hope, now it has been decided to resume the ordinary train ns from September 29, that the Otago Association will see its way clear to send a representative eleven to Invercargill. The decision of the northern Association that it was unable to send a team south this season, was reached before the notification of the re-umotion of the old time-table was made known. The cost of hiring motor cars for the trip was the only reason given by the Otago Hockey Association why the match could not be arranged, and now that this objection has been removed there seems to be every prospect of the previous decision being altered. The Otago Association has again been written to and its reply will be eagerly awaited by hockey players throughout Southland.

The teams which will meet in the Town v Country match to-day are us follows: InvercargillMisses H. Ashley, M. Hislop, L. Horner, R. Godward, Towards; G. Kilby, R. Dey, M. McGill (halves), M. Cowley, E. Horner (full back), M. Olsen (goal). Eastern District: Misses Kate Wayte, May Thorn, Lottie Spittle, M. Marsh, Bella Barnett (forwards), Eileen Trapski, Flo Udy, Jessie Wright (halves), Roa Macpherson, Maisie Milne (full backs), Rita Wright (goal). Emergencies; Misses Hastings (ExHigh), Ivy McLennan (Wyndham), Gladys Paterson (Ex-High). Writing in the Mataura Ensign “Penalty Bully” comments very’ favourably on the Eastern District eleven and states that nearly all of the players have either represented Southland or played in the w inning team for the' possession of the Dey Cup. The local eleven also includes several excellent players and the match should be a most interesting one. Since the Canterbury representative team defeated Wellington for possession of the shield, it has had to withstand many challenges and up till the present has done so successfully. Several of the matches have been very even in regard to the scores, but the Nelson team which played Canterbury on September 20 has, so far, come the closest to taking away the trophy from its present holders. The match was very fast and open one, and ended in a draw, each team scoring three goals. Canterbury thus retains the shield and will play Auckland for it next Saturday. On the return journey home the Nelson team played the Wellington representatives and won by five goals to two. The annual New Zealand Ladies’ Hockey Tournament commenced on Tuesday when Canterbury' B beat Auckland by 4 goals to 2; Canterbury A beat Manawatu by 4 goals to nil; Wanganui beat Wellington by 4 goals to 2. The remaining fixtures are as follow:—

Second day.— Wellington v Manawatu, Canterbury A v Wdnganui, Canterbpry B v Nelson, Auckland a bye. Third day.—Wanganui v Manawatu, Auckland v Nelson, Canterbury A v Wellington, Canterbury B a bye. Fourth day— Wellington v Auckland, Wanganui v Nelson, Conterbury B v Manawatu, Canterbury A a bye. Fifth day—Auckland v Manawatu, Wanganui v Canterbury B, Nelson v Canterbury A, Wellington a bye. Sixth day.—Nelson v Manawatu, Wellington v Canterbury B, Auckland v Canterbury A, Wanganui a bye. Seventh day.—Canterbury A v Canterbury B, Wanganui v Auckland, Wellington v Nelson, Manawatu a bye. LADIES’ TOURNAMENT. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 23. The Ladies’ Hockey Tournament was continued to-day in glorious weather. The grounds were much improved and some good games were witnessed. Results:—Canterbury A defeated Wanganui by 5 goals to 2; Canterbury B defeated Nelson by 3 goals to 2 ; Wellington defeated Manawatu by 4 goals to nil. CRICKET. MEETING OF ENTHUSIASTS. A meeting of those interested in making the 1919-1920 cricket season one of the most successful in the history of Southland was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night, when there was a good attendance of enthusiasts. Mr Tapley occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks said that the 1913-14 season was one of the best Southland had experienced and everything pointed to a bright future for cricket locally when the wpr cloud burst. During the war period senior cricket had been kept going by a few enthusiasts who had worked hard during the period. He emphasised the need of fostering junior cricket as a strong junior competition assured the success of the- seniors. If the younger players received more encouragement and judicious coaching from the older members the juniors would be able to fill the vacancies in the senior elevens and they would not have to rely on outsiders or retired older players to fill those vacancies. It was only by the encouragement of the juniors that they could help to bring Southland cricket back to the standard that existed prior to the war. Mr A. Poole said that the whole question rested on the date of the annual meeting of the Association and if that date were known the various clubs would hold their meetings and appoint the delegates. The season was already advanced and work should begin at once on the Park wickets, and the Association should move at once and hold its annual meeting. It was decided that a recommendation be forwarded to the Association to hold its annual meeting before the end of the month and that all clubs hold their annual meetings and appoint delegates for that meeting.

QUEER RESTAURANTS VARIOUS NATIONALITIES IN LONDON. (B} - Ward Muir, in the Daily Mail.) Some years ago a friend took me to the J;-,.i- i■ uuu'uut in Carnaby street. We drank ineffably delicate tea. Then our meal was brought. Its first consisted of lobster fried in batter, accompanied by some tiny bowls containing salads of such artistic hue and arranged so like exotic posies of blossoms that it seemed a shame to thrust a fork into them.

As a fact my friend used chopsticks. I have never mastered these implements. Whenever I revisit the Japanese restaurant, or go to the Chinese ones which are beginning to be so familiar a feature of London, a astonishes me that any human being is sufficiently adroit to fish up a grain of rice between two pencils held in the fingers of one hand.

I remember that, emerging from the Japanese restaurant, we noticed round the corner a Serbian restaurant. And I thereupon made a vow to visit all the queerer foreign restaurants of the metropolis.

But I have never fulfilled that vow; because the choice of foreign restaurants is too large. It is, in effect, endless. London, viewed in the light of its restaurants, reveals itself as by far the most cosmopolitan city in Europe—possibly in the world.

Of course we all know the Italian, French, Belgian, and Swiss restaurants in Soho and in the Tottenham Court road quarter—and perhaps some explorers may have shuddered on noticing in Charlotte street a Dutch shop which announces that it sells “Horse Meat for Human Consumption.” But how many Londoners have tried the Greek restaurants? I know of two, one in Windmill street and one in Beak street. There are also two Indian restaurants—in Rupert street and Lisle s t ree t —where you can scorch your palate excruciatingly but exquisitely on chutneys, curries, kababs, kormas, and pulaos. (But unless you are a retired Anglo-Indian you will have to ask the waitress's advice when you are presented with the bill of fare.) At a Spanish restaurant in Dean street I have had excellent repasts. The menu offers Entremeses (hors d’opuvresl, Sopas, Pastas, Huevos, Pescado (fish), Platos del dia (dishes of the day),Legumbres, and Quesos (cheeses). These viands sound more romantic in Spanish than in French, but, to be candid, taste much the same. Somewhere in the city there is an Albanian restaurant which I confess I have not yet visited; and farther east, at Limehouse Causeway, there is a cluster of Chinese eating-houses. They are worth a visit, though the ones in the West End are, as far as I can judge, just as “genuine”—if you yearn to know, say, what squid tastes like with a garnishing of pine-apple. Near Regent street there is a Salonica restaurant, and in Great Windmill street there is a Russian bar. Just behind the Lyric Theatre there is an Oriental cafe which is the chief London rendezvous of Armenians. You can get a cup of real Egyptian-style coffee here, and—for the sum of one .shilling—hire and smoke a narghile. And when you have sampled all these places you will only have begun, to touch the fringe of a curious and interesting subject. But it is possible that you will have arrived at a quite ferocious longing for an English grilled chop and a pint of English beer.